Device for closing and opening the mold halves of a glass molding machine

ABSTRACT

Each mold half is held by means of a mold half holding mechanism which can be driven so as to pivot in a reciprocating manner about a common vertical hinge column by means of a vertical shaft ( 6; 7 ), which is mounted in a rotatable manner in a frame ( 2 ) of the glass forming machine ( 1 ), and by means of first intermediate members. Each shaft ( 6; 7 ) is connected via a lever mechanism ( 8; 9 ) to a common drive shaft which can be pivoted in a reciprocating manner by means of a drive element ( 19 ), which can be moved linearly in a reciprocating manner, of a drive ( 20 ) and by means of second intermediate members ( 18 ). The drive element ( 19 ) can be mounted on a nut ( 26 ) and secured against rotating about a longitudinal axis ( 39 ) of the drive element ( 19 ) by means of a guide device ( 32 ). The nut ( 26 ) is in engagement with a spindle ( 33 ). The spindle ( 33 ) is mounted in an axially fixed, rotatable manner and can be driven rotationally in a reciprocating manner by means of the drive ( 20 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for closing and opening mold halves ofat least one mold of glass forming machine.

In the case of a known device of this type (U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,119A,FIGS. 3 and 8, or DE 20 27 243 B2, FIG. 3), the devices for closing andopening the blank mold halves and finishing mold halves are formed in asimilar manner. In each case, the two intermediate members are driven ina reciprocating manner by means of a piston rod of a piston-cylinderunit. The two piston-cylinder units are disposed in the interior of theframe (box) of the I.S. (individual section) glass forming machine. Inthis manner, the two piston-cylinder units take up a lot of useful spaceinside the frame. Moreover, the linear movement of each piston rod is nolonger sufficiently precise and suitably reproducible to meet thecurrent requirements for the production of hollow glass.

A parallel closing device for mold halves is known per se from DE 198 51133 A1. A servo motor is arranged with a vertical longitudinal axis anddrives a lead screw by means of its upper driven shaft via a coupling,which lead screw comprises lower left-hand threads and upper right-handthreads. In each case a leftward nut and a rightward nut are inengagement with these opposed threads. The nuts are each connected viaan articulated lever pair to a common horizontal pivot shaft. The pivotshaft together with the mold half support mechanisms is moved in areciprocating manner in a horizontal plane upon rotation of the leadscrew. FIG. 3 illustrates the closed mold position, whereas FIG. 4 showsthe open mold position. This design is comparatively costly and requiresa relatively large amount of space both in the horizontal and verticaldirection.

From DE 299 16216 U1 of the Applicant it is known perse to drive a wormrotationally in a reciprocating manner by means of a drive. Atdiametrically opposed positions, gear wheels are in engagement with theworm. Each gear wheel is affixed to a shaft which supports a crank. Eachcrank is connected via a particular lever mechanism to a pivotal moldtool half holding mechanism.

From FIGS. 3 and 4 of GB 2 331 096 A and FIGS. 3 and 4 of FR 2 782 509A1 a device according to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the previously discussed DE198 51 133 A1 is known per se in each case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to reduce the spatial requirement ofthe device inside the frame and to render it possible to drive thesecond intermediate members in a very precise and extremely reproduciblemanner.

In one form, this object is achieved by providing a device for closingand opening mold halves of at least one mold of a glass forming machine.Each mold half is held by means of a mold half holding mechanism,wherein each mold half holding mechanism can be driven so as to pivot ina reciprocating manner about a vertical hinge column by means of avertical shaft, which is mounted in a rotatable manner in a frame of theglass forming machine. Each veritcal shaft is connected via a levermechanism to a common drive shaft. The drive shaft can be pivoted in areciprocating manner by means of a drive element, which can be movedlinearly in a reciprocating manner, and by means of second intermediatemembers. The drive element can be mounted on a nut and is securedagainst rotating about a longitudinal axis of the drive element by meansof a guide device. The nut is in engagement with a spindle, and thespindle is mounted in an axially fixed, rotatable manner and can bedriven rotationally in a reciprocating manner by means of a drive. Inthis manner, it is possible to provide a space-saving and yet veryprecisely operating device for closing and opening the mold halves. Thisdevice is particularly suitable for use in I.S. glass forming machines.

On a first side, which can be fixed on the nut, the drive element caninclude an orifice which accommodates a free end of the spindle, and asecond side of the drive element remote from the first side can becoupled to the second intermediate members. In this way a device isprovided with an advantageously interleaved structural design whichsaves a correspondingly large amount of space.

The second side can be mounted in an axially displaceable manner in abearing housing supported on the frame to provide a compact bearingunit. The bearing unit can have the bearing of the spindle integratedtherein, for example, the spindle can be mounted in a rotatable mannerin the bearing housing.

Features that include a stationary part of the guide device connected tothe bearing housing to render it possible in a particularly precisemanner to guide the nut and to prevent rotation thereof

Additional features can be provided where the stationary part includesat least one guide rod which is disposed in parallel with the spindle,and an extension of the guide device which is fixed relative to the nutis guided in a displaceable manner on the at least one guide rod. Thismakes it possible in a simple yet extremely precise manner to guide thenut and prevent rotation thereof.

As another feature of the invention, the bearing housing can be disposedin an internal space in the frame so that the bearing housing and theguide device take up only a very small amount of space in the frame,e.g. in the box of an I.S. glass forming machine.

In yet another feature, the drive includes an electro-servo motorconnected via a transmission and a coupling to the spindle to ensure anextremely precise, programmably controllable drive.

The electro-servo motor can be disposed with a horizontal longitudinalaxis outside the frame so that it takes up a particularly small amountof space inside the frame.

The transmission can protrudes from outside the frame into an opening inthe frame and be mounted in the opening in such a manner as to berotatable and axially displaceable about its longitudinal axis. Ahousing of the transmission can be connected to a sleeve and the sleevecan be connected to the bearing housing. This provides a compact driveline having the required freedom of movement in the region where it isintroduced into the frame. However, this region, it is only necessary totake into account extremely small relative movements between the driveline and the frame.

The transmission can be formed as an angular transmission, and alongitudinal axis of the electro-servo motor can be disposed in parallelwith an external wall of the frame. This provides a space-savingarrangement which is particularly favorable for the electro-servo motor,because its bearings are loaded to the least extent when it is arrangedhorizontally.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features and advantages of the invention will beexplained in detail hereinafter with reference to the embodimentillustrated in the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a partially cut-away plan view of one embodiment of thedevice,

FIG. 2 shows the partially cut-away view taken along line II—II in FIG.1, and

FIG. 3 shows the enlarged sectional view taken along line III—III inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a part of a glass forming machine 1, in this case a sectionof an I.S. glass forming machine. The glass forming machine 1 comprisesa frame (box) 2 having an internal space 3 and an external wall 4.

A device 5 for opening and closing mold halves of at least one mold ofthe glass forming machine 1 is disposed partially in the internal space3 and partially outside the frame 2. The mold halves, mold half supportmechanisms, hinge column and first intermediate members are known per see.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 1,911,119A and therefore will not be illustratedand described again here. In the present drawings, the device 5 isintended to close and open finishing mold halves. However, in a similarmanner it is also possible to form a device for closing and openingblank mold halves of the glass forming machine 1.

In the frame 2, vertical shafts 6 and 7 are mounted in a rotatablemanner and drive the aforementioned first intermediate members [notillustrated]. Each shaft 6, 7 is connected via a lever mechanism 8 and 9to a common drive shaft 10 (FIG. 2). The lever mechanism 8 consists ofan arm 11 which is affixed to the drive shaft 10, a steering rod 12which is articulated to the arm, and a crank 13 which is articulated tothe steering rod 12 and affixed to the shaft 6. In a similar manner, thelever mechanism 9 consists of an arm 14 which is affixed to the driveshaft 10, a steering rod 15 which is articulated to the arm 14, and acrank 16 which is articulated to the steering rod 15 and is affixed tothe shaft 7. Moreover, a lever 17 is affixed to the drive shaft 10 andis a component of second intermediate members 18 between the drive shaft10 and a drive element 19 of a drive 20.

In addition to the lever 17, the second intermediate members 18 includea bracket 21 which is articulated on one side by a pin 22 to the lever17 and is articulated on the other side by a pin 23 to the drive element19. The drive element 19 can be moved linearly in a reciprocating mannerby means of the drive 20. The drive element 19 comprises on a first side24 (on the right in FIG. 1) an axial orifice 25(an opening), into whicha portion of a nut 26 extends on the right-hand side. The nut 26comprises an annular flange 27 which is affixed to the drive element 19by means of screws 28.

A second side 29 of the drive element 19, which side is remote from thefirst side 24, supports the pin 23 and is mounted in such a manner as tobe axially displaceable in a bearing housing 30. The bearing housing 30also comprises a stationary part 31 of a guide device 32.

A free end of a spindle 33 extends through the nut 26 into the orifice25 and its other end (on the right in FIG. 1) is likewise mounted in arotatable yet axially fixed manner in the bearing housing 30.

The stationary part 31 of the guide device 32 comprises two guide rods34 and 35 (cf. also FIG. 3) which are disposed in parallel with thespindle 33 and which are fixed in an intermediate housing 36 of thebearing housing 30. An extension 37 which is fixed to the drive element19 is guided in a displaceable manner on the guide rods 34, 35 by meansof ball-guided sleeves 38. Although the drive element 19 is thus axiallydisplaceable, it is also effectively and precisely secured againstrotating about its own longitudinal axis 39.

Welded to the underside 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the intermediate housing36, is a transverse bar 41, through which a screw 42 is screwed into abase 43 of the frame 2 in order to fix the bearing housing 30.

In this way, the bearing housing 30, the drive element 19, the spindle33 and the guide device 32 are disposed in such a manner as to savespace in the internal space 3 of the frame 2.

The drive 20 comprises an electro-servo motor 44 which is connected viaan angular transmission 45 and a coupling 46 to a drive spigot 47 of thespindle 33. The electro-servo motor 44 is disposed with a horizontallongitudinal axis 48, which is in parallel with the external wall 4,outside the frame 2. A part 49 of the angular transmission 45 formed asa planetary gear extends from outside the frame 2 into an opening 50 inthe external wall 4 of the frame 2. The transmission part 49 comprisesan external flange 51, via which it is screwed by means of screws 52 toa sleeve 53. For its part, the sleeve 53 is screwed by means of screws54 to the end of the bearing housing 30 on the right-hand side in FIG.1.

The electro-servo motor 44 and the angular transmission 45 can beaccessed rapidly and easily on the external side of the frame 2. Theother parts of the device 5 can also be accessed easily. This is alsomade possible by a side window 55 in the intermediate housing 36.

In the lower half of FIG. 1, all elements are illustrated by continuouslines in the particular operational end position, in which theassociated mold halves are closed. In contrast, in the upper half ofFIG. 1, the elements 11, 12, 13 and 6 are illustrated by broken lines inthe particular operational end position, in which the mold halves arefully open.

Moreover, in the lower half of FIG. 1, some of the elements areillustrated by broken lines in the particular operational end positioncorresponding to the fully open position of the mold halves. By rotatingthe spindle 33 the pin 23 is thus displaced in a linear manner to theleft in FIG. 1 by a stroke 56. The pin 22 travels on a circular arcabout a longitudinal axis 57 of the drive shaft 10 across an angle 58.As a result, a pin 59 between the crank 16 and the steering rod 15 isdisplaced across an angle 60. At the same time, a pin 61 between the arm14 and the steering rod 15 pivots upwards in FIG. 1 across an angle 62until reaching the end position illustrated by broken lines.

Owing to the substantial transmission ratio downstream of theelectro-servo motor 44, the closed mold halves can be kept closed with,comparatively speaking, a very low level of torque on the output shaftof the electro-servo motor 44.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show further details of the glass forming machine 1 andthe device 5.

1. A device for closing and opening mold halves of at least one mold ofa glass forming machine, comprising: a mold half holding mechanism foreach of said mold halves; a glass forming machine frame; a drive foreffecting the opening and closing of said mold halves; a spindle mountedin an axially fixed manner, said spindle being drivable rotatably in areciprocal manner by said drive; a nut mounted for linear reciprocalmovement in response to rotational movement of said spindle; a driveelement having a longitudinal axis, said drive element being mounted forreciprocal linear movement in response to movement of said nut; a guidedevice disposed to prevent rotational movement of said drive element; adrive shaft mounted for reciprocal pivotal movement in response tomovement of said drive element; and each of said mold halves beingassociated with a vertical shaft connected via a lever mechanism to saiddrive shaft, said vertical shafts being mounted in said frame forrotational movement in response to movement by said drive shaft, each ofsaid mold half holding mechanisms being pivotal in a reciprocal mannerin response to movement of said vertical shaft associated therewith. 2.A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive element has afirst side which is fixed to said nut, said first side including anopening extending therein, said spindle having a free end disposedwithin said opening; and said drive element having a second side remotefrom said first side, said second side being connected to said driveshaft via intermediate members.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 2wherein said second side is mounted in an axially displaceable manner ina bearing housing supported on said frame.
 4. A device in accordancewith claim 3 wherein said spindle is mounted in a rotatable manner insaid bearing housing.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid guide device has a stationary part which is connected to saidbearing housing.
 6. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidguide device has a stationary part which is connected to said bearinghousing.
 7. A device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said stationarypart of the guide device comprises at least one guide rod which isdisposed in parallel with the spindle, and said guide device has anextension which is fixed relative to said nut and which is guided in adisplaceable manner on said at least one guide rod.
 8. A device inaccordance with claim 3 wherein said bearing housing is disposed in aninternal space in the frame.
 9. A device in accordance with claim 5wherein said bearing housing is disposed in an internal space in theframe.
 10. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drivecomprises an electro-servo motor.
 11. A device in accordance with claim10 wherein said electro-servo motor is connected via a transmission anda coupling to the spindle.
 12. A device in accordance with claim 11wherein said electro-servo motor is disposed along a horizontallongitudinal axis outside said frame.
 13. A device in accordance withclaim 11 wherein said transmission protrudes from outside the frame intoan opening in the frame and is mounted in the opening in such a manneras to be rotatable and axially displaceable about said longitudinalaxis, and said transmission having a housing which can be connected to asleeve, said sleeve being connectable to the bearing housing.
 14. Adevice in accordance with claim 12 wherein said transmission protrudesfrom outside the frame into an opening in the frame and is mounted inthe opening in such a manner as to be rotatable and axially displaceableabout said longitudinal axis, and said transmission having a housingwhich can be connected to a sleeve, said sleeve being connectable to thebearing housing.
 15. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidtransmission is formed as an angular transmission, and saidelectro-servo motor has a longitudinal axis disposed in parallel with anexternal wall of the frame.
 16. A device in accordance with claim 13wherein said transmission is formed as an angular transmission, and saidelectro-servo motor has a longitudinal axis disposed in parallel with anexternal wall of the frame.
 17. A device for closing and opening moldhalves of at least one mold of a glass forming machine, comprising: amold half holding mechanism for each of said mold halves; a glassforming machine frame; a drive for effecting the opening and closing ofsaid mold halves; a spindle mounted in an axially fixed manner, saidspindle being drivable rotatably in a reciprocating manner by saiddrive; a nut in engagement with said spindle for linear reciprocalmovement in response to rotational movement of said spindle; a driveelement having a longitudinal axis, said drive element being mounted onsaid nut for reciprocal linear movement in response to movement of saidnut; a guide device disposed to prevent rotational movement of saiddrive element about said longitudinal axis; a drive shaft mounted forreciprocal pivotal movement in response to movement of said driveelement, said drive shaft being movable in response to movement of saiddrive element through intermediate members which include a lever affixedto said drive shaft; and each of said mold halves being associated witha vertical shaft, each of said vertical shafts being connected via alever mechanism to said drive shaft, said vertical shafts being mountedin said frame for rotational movement in response to movement by saiddrive shaft, each of said mold half holding mechanisms being pivotal ina reciprocal manner in response to movement of said vertical shaftassociated therewith.
 18. A device for closing and opening mold halvesof at least one mold of a glass forming machine, comprising: a mold halfholding mechanism for each of said mold halves; a glass forming machineframe; a drive for effecting the opening and closing of said moldhalves; a spindle mounted in an axially fixed manner, said spindle beingdrivable rotatably in a reciprocal manner by said drive; a nut inengagement with said spindle for linear reciprocal movement in responseto rotational movement of said spindle; a drive element affixed to saidnut for reciprocal linear movement in response to movement of said nut,said drive element having a longitudinal axis and a first side which isfixed to said nut, said first side including an opening extendingtherein, said spindle having a free end disposed within said opening,and said drive element having a second side remote from said first sidewhich is mounted in an axially displaceable manner in a bearing housingsupported on said frame; a guide device disposed to prevent rotationalmovement of said drive element; a drive shaft mounted for reciprocalpivotal movement in response to movement of said drive element, saidsecond side of said drive element being connected to said drive shaftvia intermediate members which include a lever affixed to said driveshaft for rotational movement therewith; and each of said mold halvesbeing associated with a vertical shaft connected via a lever mechanismto said drive shaft, said vertical shafts being mounted in said framefor rotational movement in response to movement by said drive shaft,each of said mold half holding mechanisms being pivotal in a reciprocalmanner in response to movement of said vertical shaft associatedtherewith.
 19. A device in accordance with claim 18 wherein said guidedevice has a stationary part which is connected to said bearing housing.20. A device in accordance with claim 19 wherein said stationary part ofthe guide device comprises at least one guide rod which is disposed inparallel with the spindle, and said guide device has an extension whichis fixed relative to said nut and which is guided in a displaceablemanner on said at least one guide rod.